Self-advancing winding reel



June 27, 1950 R. HELLBACH SELF-ADVANCING WINDING REEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19, 1.946

R. HELLBACH j 747. wad/5% War June 27, 1950 R. HELLBACH 2,512,545

SELF-ADVANCING WINDING REEL Filed July 19, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 VI|IIIIIIHH I gwue/wtom R HELLBACH June 27, 1950 R. HELLBACH 2,512,645

SELF-ADVANCING WINDING REEL Filed July 19, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 n n M nnn nnnnnnn W R. HELLBACH SELF-ADVANCING WINDING REEL June 2 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 19, 1946 IHIII" fll'n glawcmfw R.HELLBACH flat 914 Patented June 27, 1950 2,512,645 SELF-ADVANCING WINDING REEL Rudolph Hellbach, Philadelphia, Pa., asslgnor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture Application July 19, 1946, Serial No. 684,910

(01. 28-7L6) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

3 Claims.

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a self-advancing, winding reel for use in the processing of artificial threads, filaments, or the like. It is employed to treat the same in a chemical solution or a current of a gas to impart strength and firm texture, for example.

The threads, or the filaments, to be treated, are spread or wound on the outside surface of the reel, or of several reels in series, while being kept separate from each other as the reel, or reels, rotate and dip into a chemical solution.

The treating solution may be caused to fall in a stream onto the reel, or reels. The reel may be subjected to a current of gas. The material may be washed and dried on a reel, or reels.

The reel, or reels, may be tapered. The threads, filaments, or the like, would then be started at the smaller end, and as they advance to the larger end, they would be gradually stretched. From experience, it can be shown that the threads, filaments, or the like have superior properties such as greater tensile strength, when so treated.

In operation, the thread-like material is brought to the starting point on the reel. The rotating reel then carries the material around its outer surface in separated turns, all the while advancing the thread-like filaments with each turn until the opposite end is reached. This is accomplished by sliding or moving bars which are moved lengthwise of the reel by a pair of cams, while another pair of cams and springs move the bars radially inwardly and outwardly at the proper stage of each revolution.

Two cams are used to move the sliding or moving member in a lengthwise direction, one to the right and the other to the left. Two other cams and a spring attached to each end of the movable bars are used for radial motion of the moving member, that is, toward and away from the axis of the reel.

In an alternate design, the lengthwise motion of the sliding or moving members to secure advancement across the reel can be accomplished by the use of one cam only, with the use of spring tension, while two cams and springs are used for the radial motion of these sliding or moving members. Obvious combinations of the two types can be made.

The reel shown in the drawings consists of a 16-sided cylindrical polygon, but I do not wish to limit myself to any particular number of sides or faces. The number of sides varies with the sides of apparatus. The shape of the reel may be cylindrical or conical. While pins in the reciprocating member are used to advance the threads or filaments along the length of the reel, I do not wish to limit myself to this type of construction alone. Depressions in the edges of these reciprocating members with proper spacing of same, or a roughened surface, will also advance the threads. The edges, or faces, of these reciprocating members can also be made of such width that neither pins, depressions, nor roughened surfaces need be used, since sufficient tension will be secured from the wide faces, or edges of the reciprocating members to advance the thread-like material forward on the reel surace.

The accompanying drawing illustrates two embodiments of the invention.

Figure l is a three-dimensional view of a reel employing two end cams to slide the bars longitudinally.

Figure 2 is a vertical front view of the reel of Figure 1, partly in section to show the operation of a movable slide bar and two cams, one cam anoylin the bar longitudinally and the other ra- Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 33 of Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the radial positions of the pins on the slide bars at any one instant.

Figure 4 is a vertical front view of a slide bar of the type shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical front sectional view of a modified form employing one cam to impart longitudinal motion to the slide bars and two cams to position the slide bars radially with respect to the axis of revolution of the reel.

Figure 6 is a section along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

The reel, formed by the boards or fixed bars I and slotted side plates 2 and 2a, is secured on shaft 3 by flanges 4 andlla. Shaft 3 is rotatably mounted on supports 5 and 5a. The movable bars I3 are mounted between the boards I and in the slots IS in side plates 2 and 2a.

The lateral motion of each bar I3, to the right and to the left, is controlled by the cams 6 and I in Figures 1 and 2, which cams are fixedly mounted upon supports 5 and 5a. The bars I3 are slidably mounted upon cam plates 8 and 9, which are shown mounted in fixed relation to the supports 5 and 5a. The bars I3 are held against the cam surfaces of plates 8 and 9 by springs I0 and I I attached to the bars and shaft 3, or the springs can be attached to the bars and side plates 2 and 2a.

The radial motion of the bars I3, toward and away from the shaft 3, is controlled by springs I0 and II (Figure 2) and cam plates 8 and 9.

As indicated above, Figure 3 shows the relative radial positions of the bars I! and the pins I8 mounted thereon, at any instant. Figure 3 can also be taken as illustrating the radial movement of any one bar I 3 as the reel is rotated counter-clockwise, in the direction of the arrow. The sequence of motion is described as follows: Referring to Figure 3, at point a the sliding or moving bars with pins are at the top, and are in starting position and rotate in the direction of the arrow with the drum or reel, as shown. At point D, the bar with pins has been moved lengthwise, or sidewise, by'cam 8 toward cam I (Fig. 2), but it does not move radially inwardly or outwardly at this point. This same motion is continued as the drum or reel rotates through points c, d, e, and f. At point a (Fig. 3), the bar and pins have reached their furthermost position to the left of cam 5 (Fig. 2) and remain in a stationary position insofar as a sidewise or a lengthwise movement is concerned; but they begin to recede into the slot due to action of spiral springs I and Il (Fig. 1) and the shape of cams 8 and 9 (Fig. 2). The bars and pins continue to recede into the slots without moving sidewise through points h and i. At point the bars and pins are at their lowest point, which is below the inside face, or bottom of the thread-like material. The sliding bars with pins remain at this low position below the threads or filaments through points k, l, and until point m is reached. During the time that the bars have been at this, their lowest point, cam l actuates the sliding bar with the pins and moves it back toward cam 6 so that when point m has been reached, they are the same distance sidewise from cam I as at point a, which is the starting point, and it remains thus through points 1:, o, and p. However, at point m, the bar with the pin begins to ascend and continues to do so through points m and 0, At point p, the bar with the pins is practically in the starting position, and this process is continued with each revolution. Each turn of the reel advances the threads, filament, or the like a certain distance until the material has traveled across the entire length of the reel. The material is received on the reel at the topmost point between points a and p after being led to same over the grooved pulley I! (Fig. 2). Shaft 3 of Figure is rotatably mounted in supports 5 and 5a by any conventional anti-friction means. Two flanges 4 and 4a are securely fastened to shaft 3. These flanges support end plates 2 and 2a to which are fastened the sides or faces of the cylindrical polygon which forms the main portion of the reel or drum and carries the thread-like material for treatment. The end plates 2 and 2a- (Fig. 5) are slotted to receive the sliding or movable bar members l3l. These sliding or movable bars are shown in Figure 6 at points a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, I, m, n, o, and p. The bars are actuated in a radial direction as shown in Figure 5 by the action of springs l0 and I4, and cams 8 and 9. The lateral motion of the sliding or movable bar members is obtained by the action of springs I4 and cam 6, Figure 5. At IS, in Figure 5, is shown an adjusting screw whereby the throw of the cam can be altered to in the advancement of the thread-like material on the reel, requires only a very small alteration of the throw of cam 15. Thus, for example, in applicant's reel used at this laboratory, in which the thread-supporting portion of the reel is a cylinder approximately 11 inches long and 8 inches in diameter, a change from 12 to 8 turns of the thread per inch is obtained by altering the throw of the cam only about 30-40/1000 of an inch. The sequence of operation is similar to that described above, except that in this case there are no pins used to move the thread-like material lengthwise across the reel, since the width of the edges of the sliding bars will give sufficient friction to accomplish this effect. Only one cam is used for the lateral movement. This is accomplished by placing springs 14 in such position that, in addition to keeping the sliding or movable bars in contact with cams 8 and 8 (Fig. 5) to control radial movement, these springs also restrict the sliding or movable bars to follow the shape of earn 6, Figure 5, to produce the required longitudinal motion.

The above sequence of movement of the bars is by way of example only. My invention is not limited thereto.

Other types of cams and cam tracks may be used. Rollers I! may be provided on the ends of the bars to reduce friction.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A self-advancing reel for filaments comprising; a supporting frame; a drum comprising fixed bars rotatably mounted by said frame; movable bars mounted lengthwise of said drum, each movable bar being slidably mounted between adjacent fixed bars, the rotary movement of the movable bars being actuated solely by contact with the rotating drum; all of said movable bars being mounted for mutually independent individual movement longitudinally to the axis of the drum and also for mutually independent individual movement radially toward and away from the axis of the drum; means providing a first cam surface and a second cam surface, both being stationary; the first cam surface being adapted to move the movable bars lengthwise in a longitudinal direction as the drum and bars rotate past said first cam surface; means for returning the movable bars lengthwise in the opposite longitudinal direction as the first cam surface recedes in said opposite direction; the second cam surface being adapted to move each movable bar radially away from the axis of the drum; said movable bars being mounted to slide on said second cam surface; and means for holding the movable bars against said second cam surface; each of said movable bars having a portion which is projected beyond the outer surface of the drum upon rotating the drum through an angle less than 360; the projecting of the bars being in sequence circumferentially of the drum; the projected portion of each bar receding below the outer surface of the drum upon further rotation of the drum; the projected ortion of each bar being withdrawn below the surface of the drum before the bar is returned lengthwise to its original longitudinal position; at any one instant some of the movable bars being retracted below the surface of the drum and others of the movable bars being projected beyond the outer surface of the drum; the drum providing a filamentbearing frame which is fixed in position longitudinally and radially with respect to the axis of the drum; the

ent individual movement longitudinally to the axis of the drum and also for mutually independent individual movement radially toward and away from the axis of the drum; means providing a first cam surface and a second cam surface, both being stationary; the first cam surface being adapted to move the movable bars lengthwise in a longitudinal direction as the tween adjacent fixed bars, the rotary movement of the movable bars being actuated solely by contact with the rotating drum; all of said movable bars being mounted for mutually independent individual movement longitudinally to the axis of the drum and also for mutually independent individual movement radially toward and away from the axis of the drum; means providing a first cam surface and a second cam surface, both being stationary; the first cam surface being adapted to move the movable bars lengthwise in a longitudinal direction as the drum and bars rotate ast said first cam surface; means for returning the movable bars lengthwise in the opposite longitudinal direction as the first cam surfacerecedes in said opposite direct on; the second cam surface being adapted to move each movable bar radially away from the axis of the drum; said movable bars being mounted to slide on said second cam surface: and means for holding the movable bars against said second cam surface; each of said movable bars having a portion which is projected beyond the outer surface of the drum upon rotating the drum through an angle less than 360; the pro- .iect ng of the bars be ng in sequence circumferentially of the drum; the projected portion of each bar receding below the outer surface of the drum upon further rotation of the drum; the pro ected portion of each bar being withdrawn below the surface of the drum before the bar is returned lengthwise to its original longitudinal poslton; at any one instant some of the movable bars being retracted below the surface of the drum and others of the movable bars being proiected beyond the outer surface of the drum; the drum providing a filament bearing frame which is fixed in position longitudinally and radially with re pect to the axis of the drum; the shapes nd relative positions of the two cam surfaces being such that longitudinal movement of said hers is correlated with radial recession and prodrum end bars rotate past said first cam surface; means for returning the movable bars lengthwise in the opposite longitudinal direction as the first cam surface recedes in said opposite direction; the second cam surface being adapted to move each movable bar radially away from ection of said bars to wind a filament in helical form on the drum as the drum is rotated; the said second cam surface comprising two cam plates fixedly mounted by the supporting frame; the cam plates being adjacent opposite ends of the movable bars and outside the drum; the cam plates supporting the ends of the movable bars; the means for holding the movable bars against the surface of the cam plates being individual spr ng means urging each bar toward the axis of the drum.

of the movable bars being actuated solely by' contact with the rotating drum: all of said movable bars mounted for mutually independ- Number the axis of the drum; said movable bars being mounted to slide on said second cam surface: and means for holding the movable bars against said second cam surface; each of said movable bars having a portion which is projected beyond the outer surface of the drum upon rotating the drum through an angle less than 360"; the projecting .of the bars being in sequence circumferentially of the drum; the projected portion of each bar receding below the outer surface of the drum upon further rotation of the drum: the projected portion of each bar being withdrawn below the surface of the drum before the bar is returned lengthwise to its original longitudinal position; at any one instant some of the movable bars being retracted below the surface of the drum and others of the movable bars being projected beyond the outer surface of the drmn: the drum providing a filament bearing frame which is fixed in position longitudinally and radially with respect to the axis of the drum: the shapes and relative ositions of the two cam surfaces being such that longitudinal movement of said bars is correlated with radial recession and projection of said bars to wind a filament in helical form on the drum as the drum is rotated; the said second cam surface comprising two cam plates fixedly mounted by the supporting frame; the cam plates being adjacent opposite ends of the movable bars and outside the the axis of the drum; and in which the movable bars carry on their outer surfaces a longitudlnally extending series of radially directed pins.

RUDOLPH HELLBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Boos Feb. 4, 1913 stoll Dec. 7, 1926 Samerdyke Oct. 10, 1939 Samerdyke Nov. 14, 1939 Fumess Mar. 31, 1942 Fumess June 12, 1945 Furness Oct. 23, 1948 7 Stanley Mar. 12, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany May 20, 1941 Number 

